After Alex finished reading the lines of the simulation, a sudden panel popped up, just like before, displaying a single star rating. Below the rating was a message indicating that he could choose one reward from a pool of one. This was new; previously, he could only receive the memory of the simulation.

Curious and a bit apprehensive, Alex focused on the panel. The option appeared before him: "Detailed Analysis of Football Games." Without hesitation, he selected it. As soon as he made his choice, he felt a familiar but painful sensation as the memory and information were absorbed into his mind. The pain was sharp and intense, like a searing hot needle threading through his brain.

With a deep breath, he sat down, allowing the pain to subside. He took out his journal, the pages already filled with notes and plans, and started recording the results of all the upcoming football matches. The names of the teams, the scores, key players' performances, and even minor incidents during the games were all meticulously documented. His hand moved swiftly across the pages, driven by the urgency of his task.

Hours passed in a blur of ink and paper. Alex closed his journal and leaned back in his chair, feeling a mix of exhaustion and excitement. He knew that this information was incredibly valuable and could be the key to changing his fate. The details were vivid in his mind, each match playing out like a well-rehearsed script.

He logged into his betting account and started entering the details for each game. He had placed bets before, but never with such confidence and precision. This time, he was going all in. He decided to make a very detailed bet with a quote of almost €10,000. He bet €50, knowing that if he won, he would receive €500,000. That amount could fund 500 simulations, giving him the potential to foresee and alter numerous outcomes in his favor.

As he finalized the bet, a sense of exhilaration washed over him. This was a huge gamble, but the potential payoff was enormous. He felt a surge of determination and hope. This was his chance to take control of his destiny, to reshape his future.

At this point, Alex was exhausted, but sleep was the last thing on his mind. He picked up his journal again and started planning his next steps. What he needed now was information. Who were the attackers at the meeting? More importantly, who was Adam? Alex had heard this name in the simulation. In fact, Gouda had cursed at him just before she died.

His mind raced with questions and possibilities. Adam seemed to be a crucial figure in the unfolding chaos, but his identity and role were shrouded in mystery. The frustration gnawed at Alex, an insistent itch he couldn't scratch.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

He scribbled notes in his journal, his thoughts a chaotic swirl. He needed to find out more about Adam and the attackers. Was Adam a traitor? An enemy? Or someone caught in the crossfire just like him? The uncertainty was maddening.

"Who the hell is Adam?" Alex muttered under his breath, his frustration boiling over. "Why did Gouda curse him? What did he do?"

He clenched his fists, feeling a surge of anger and helplessness. The memory of the simulation played over and over in his mind. The explosion, the gunfire, Gouda's terrified expression, and her final, desperate curse at Adam. It was all so vivid, so real.

"Dammit," he whispered, rubbing his temples. "I need to know. I need answers."

Alex took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He was tired, his body aching from the strain, but he couldn't afford to rest. Not yet. There was too much at stake.

He flipped through his journal, reviewing his notes and plans. Each page was a step towards his goal, a piece of the puzzle he was trying to solve. He had the advantage of the simulations, but he needed to use them wisely.

"What if I can find out more in the next simulation?" he pondered. "What if I can learn who Adam is, or even prevent the attack?"

Exhaustion weighed heavily on him, but Alex forced himself to stay focused. He couldn't afford to make mistakes. The stakes were too high. He needed to gather as much information as possible, to use every simulation to its fullest potential.

A wave of worry washed over him. What if the DGFP noticed the large transactions? What if someone started asking questions about his sudden influx of money? He pushed the thoughts aside. One problem at a time. First, he needed to win the bet. Then, he could worry about covering his tracks.

He closed his journal and set it aside, running a hand through his hair. His eyes burned from lack of sleep, his body crying out for rest. But his mind was relentless, pushing him forward.

"I can't stop now," he told himself. "I have to keep going. I have to find out the truth."

Alex paced the room, feeling the walls closing in around him. The simulations, at first glance, seemed to offer endless choices, endless possibilities. But the reality was far more constricting. No matter what choice he made, it always seemed to lead to his death. The freedom the simulations promised was an illusion, a cruel trick that kept him trapped in a cycle of futility.

"Is there no way out of this?" he thought, his frustration boiling over. "Every path leads to the same end."

With a determined sigh, Alex continued to plan, to think, to prepare. The road ahead was uncertain and fraught with peril, but he was ready to face it head-on. He had the simulations, the knowledge, and the determination. Now, he just needed to use them to their fullest potential.

And so, with a heavy heart but a clear mind, Alex prepared for the next step in his journey, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.